jdpatri

September is almost here. This means two things: I'm one year older and the new EA NHL game is released. This year both coincide on September 13th. Happy birthday to me.

September totally snuck up on me I'm a little late creating my new "Official" NHL thread for the forum. The new features this year, at first glance, seem minimal but I really believe that we're going to see a much bigger jump this year than in the past -- primarily because of the crease mechanics and goalie interactions. If you haven't picked up NHL in a few years, I think you're going to want to get back into the game this fall.

New Features:

Winter Classic/Outdoor weather conditions
Improved physics/player collisions
All-live environments (broken glass, doors, checking into the benches)
*Live Goalies/Crease Crashing - run the goalie, fighting for crease position (size matters now)
Goalie desperation saves
Goalie fights
Rolling pucks?
Improved Be a Pro? (I'll believe it when I see it)
LEGENDS


OVERVIEW OF CHANGES:

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q7M7faX2bYE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

NEW BOARD MECHANICS/ALL LIVE:

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aN1AaGfWmr0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

LIVE GOALIES:

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9vNZr7Qy3vc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

IMPROVED BE A PRO??

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2KqYfoGzRHY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

LEGENDS:

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kKdY1rjJb1I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Also... once again I'll be organizing a PS3 DVDTalk team for some online EASHL. We had some piss poor turnouts after the first couple of weeks. Myself included... but I'd really like to get a bunch of guys together for regular games. If you want to join the PS3 team post here and I'll send out invites that first week.

cnicholls44

count me in

jdpatri

I'm shocked. SHOCKED. that you were the first person to respond. SHOCKED.

jdpatri

Still shocked.

jdpatri

Hockey, mutherbleepers.

Kedrix

The game where spectators pound glass and players beat each other with sticks?

jdpatri

Word.

And the demo came out today. Get it!

musick

not impressed
no reason to upgrade from 11 for me

jdpatri

Wow. This thread is a buzzkill.

cnicholls44

NHL 12!!!! NHL 12!!!! BEST GAME EVER!!!!!

does that help

jdpatri

Little bit. thanks.

Kedrix

I do love hockey despite my sarcastic comments above. Many days in my youth was spent watching my dad yell at the television because the NY Rangers weren't doing something right. I eventually became a Flyers fan . However, I left the EA Hockey games alone a while back. I think the last time I played a hockey game was either NHL 2k9 or 2k10 and that was the 2k series (I probably bought it because it was under $20). I do hope it is a good game though.

jdpatri

EA has routinely put out a great NHL product for the last four years. The 2K games can't compare... pick up NHL11 for the cheap now that 12 is coming out. They really have dominated 2K.

chase3001

Not a true hockey thread until a Canadian posts.

I want this game, but I still haven't finished NHL11 trophy-wise.

LostFan

Agreed........didn't notice a lot different other than getting a penalty for knocking the other team's goalie over after the whistle.

StatMan79

I'm in. All in for the legends stuff that's in there too. Hopefully it expands into something bigger and better like what 2K did with their NBA series. Having the players available to use is cool, but having full legendary teams would be far more interesting.

jdpatri

I've been playing a bit with the HUT and I'm starting to notice quite a few but subtle differences.

When you're setting up for a slap shot the puck maintains it's own speed and physics. You can overdraft on the puck and whiff even if you're the one controlling it. Pretty neat.

Size really does matter. You can no longer cannonball Marty St. Louis into the puck carrier and necessarily knock him clean off the puck. Bigger stronger players are useful now.

I don't know if anyone else noticed this but the "board magnetism" also seems to have been reduced. You can't suck a player into the boards from a great distance anymore. You need to be closer for board play to take effect. This should lead to reduction of those bullshit interference penalties.

These are great improvements. Hopefully I'll spot some more of these realism uprades.

jdpatri

Another note:

Puck carriers are much more vulnerable in traffic. It's almost impossible to drag the puck into the center and wind up with a slapper. This used to be a favorite move for online-exploiters. Now, if you get bumped readying a slap shot you will lose the puck, guaranteed. I like this a lot. A sharp wrister is the only way to score from traffic. As it should be. You just shouldn't have time to release a slap-shot unless you've been offered a perfectly clear path.

StatMan79

I was noticing I was getting a lot better action with wrist shots than slap shots. More tips, more deflections, nicer loose pucks around the net.

The players' size determining more of what's going on is always a good thing. That said, using a smaller player who is capable of crunching guys is still a great joy. Using Jordin Tootoo in my Be A GM team in NHL 11 was a lot of fun.

ytrez

I miss NHL 94 '99 was a lot of fun too.

jdpatri

Wrist shots in NHL11 were also more useful for deflections and shot control. A guy with a wicked wrist shot can dominate... I think even more so in 12 because it takes too much time to set up those slappers from the slot.

I've noticed low slappers, especially from the point, creating larger rebounds than in past years. Might just be Tim Thomas doing some flopping around the crease though.

jdpatri

You can always play with the NHL94 control scheme. It's always an option in the gameplay settings.

Joeboo835

I'm in. Haven't bought since 09. Mostly because the Wild have been bad. They have a lot more talent this year, and my daughter loves playing it, so I'll buy.

ChineseCheckers

I know I'm probably the only one that cares about this but is there any news if stats for players are kept for their entire career? For example, with previous NHL games, stats for a player like Jarome Iginla would only show the last 3-4 years instead of his entire career. That sort of pissed me off for some reason. Just wondering...

nickdawgy

I think the 2k series was better at keeping stats. EA has just half assed it.